Covalently Bonded Ball-Milled Silicon/CNT Nanocomposite as Lithium-Ion Battery Anode Material

Abstract

The demand for high-capacity lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is ever-increasing. Thus, research has been focused on developing silicon-based anodes due to their high theoretical capacity and natural abundance. However, silicon-based anodes still suffer from several drawbacks (e.g., a huge volume expansion during lithiation/delithiation and the low conductivity nature of silicon). In this study, we develop a facile and low-cost synthesis route to create a composite of silicon particles and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via simple two-step mechanical ball milling with a silicon wafer as the silicon precursor. This method produces a strong interaction between silicon particles and the CNTs, forming Si–C bonds with minimum oxidation of silicon and pulverization of the CNTs. The resulting Si/CNT anode exhibits a first cycle Coulombic efficiency of 98.06%. It retains 71.28% of its first cycle capacity of 2470 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles of charge–discharge at a current density of 400 mA g−1. Furthermore, the Si/CNT anode also shows a good rate capability by retaining 80.15%, and 94.56% of its first cycle capacity at a current density of 1000 mA g−1 and when the current density is reduced back to 200 mA g−1, respectively.

A Free‐Standing Polyaniline/Silicon Nanowire Forest as the Anode for Lithium‐ion Batteries

“…Peaks at 102.6 eV and 103.5 eV correspond to SiO x (Si 2 + and Si 4 + ), while peaks at 99.39 eV and 99.99 eV can be ascribed to Si 2p 3/2 and Si 2p 1/2 , respectively. [47] The presence of SiO x on the SiNW-PANI surface is possibly due to a result of the natural oxidation process of the silicon surface, which is also reported in other polymer coatings on silicon nanostructures. [31,48] The N 1s XPS spectra in Figure 3d display three peaks at 399.7 eV, 400 eV, and 401.7 eV, which are attributed to quinoid imine (À N=), benzenoid amine (À NÀ ), and protonated amine (N + ) of PANI, further confirming the successful coating of PANI on the SiNW surface.…”

“…The Si 2p spectra can be deconvoluted into four peaks. Peaks at 102.6 eV and 103.5 eV correspond to SiO x (Si 2+ and Si 4+ ), while peaks at 99.39 eV and 99.99 eV can be ascribed to Si 2p 3/2 and Si 2p 1/2 , respectively [47] . The presence of SiO x on the SiNW‐PANI surface is possibly due to a result of the natural oxidation process of the silicon surface, which is also reported in other polymer coatings on silicon nanostructures [31,48] .…”

Para Grass-Derived Porous Carbon-Rich SiOx/C as a Stable Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

“…The carbon matrix supports the mechanical stability of para grass-derived SiO x /C, which prevents pulverization of the SiO x particles during cycling. This leads to a more stable SEI and reduces lithium consumption, resulting in improved Coulombic efficiency . Compared to the electrochemical performance biomass-derived SiO x /C anode in the literature, ,,,,,, para grass-derived SiO x /C shows promising cycling stability at relatively long cycle and large current measurements, highlighting the advantages of para grass as a renewable and sustainable resource in LIBs.…”

Selective Electrophoretic Deposition of Silicon Nanoparticles onto PAN‐Based Carbon Fiber as a Prospective Anode for Structural Li‐Ion Batteries

“…Notably, the cyclic voltammogram peaks of the Si‐CF Casted anode differ from the Si‐CF anode. The characteristics of Si peaks (i. e., a cathodic peak at 0.19 V, anodic peaks at 0.4 V and 0.6 V) [67–70] are more prominent in Si‐CF Casted compared to Si‐CF. This disparity is due to the presence of thick Si layer coated on top of the CF substrate, resembling a conventional Si anode.…”